This paper focuses on practical activities for incorporating children's literature and thematic activities in the curriculum to stimulate children's thinking and language. The paper includes a review of the current literature about literature-based programs and a thematic unit on dinosaurs developed across the curriculum at the kindergarten level. Subjects covered in the thematic unit include: letter recognition, language arts, math, social living, arts, physical education, story time, music and computer. The paper also presents activities in math, science/health, social studies, language arts, and arts for use with four trade books. Additionally, the paper reviews nine alphabet books which can be used in a variety of skill areas. Twenty references are attached. (MG)